BRISBANE, Australia: Serena Williams confirmed her eagerness to get started at the Australian Open as she demolished Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 6-1 in just 50 minutes to win the Brisbane International yesterday.
Third-seeded Williams served notice that she will be the one to beat at the first Grand Slam of the year with a ruthless display against Pavlyuchenkova.
The 31-year-old said she felt “in the zone” at times during the final and said she couldn’t wait to get to Melbourne, where she will be aiming for her sixth Australian Open crown.
“That was really good – I think I just kind of zoned and I felt like I really wanted to do well,” Williams said.
“I really felt like I was playing a top player because she’d taken two top 10 players out, so I knew that I couldn’t give her a chance.
“It was a really good week for sure. I definitely worked hard for this week, and I’m going to do a little more work so I can be ready in eight days.”
Williams took control of the final at 2-2 in the first set when she went on a run of seven straight games and never looked like losing against an increasingly demoralised opponent, who had no answer to Williams’ power and aggression.
Although ranked third in the world, Williams is firm favourite for the Australian Open. — AFP